Fluid applicator



1966 F. v. HILDERBRANDT 3,288,108

FLUID APPLICATOR Filed July 1, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

1966 F. v. HILDERBRANDT 3,288,108

FLUID APPLICATOR Filed July 1, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W1 FEMS m PL vINVENTOR United States Patent 3,288,108 FLUID APPLICATOR Frederick V.Hildebrandt, Lancaster, Ohio, assignor to Anchor Hocking GlassCorporation, Lancaster, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed July 1,1964, Ser. No. 379,473 4 Claims. (Cl. 118-258) The present inventionrelates to an improved means for applying fluid coatings and moreparticularly to an improved roller mechanism and a cooperating fluidreservoir adapted for applying coatings such as adhesive or ink and thelike.

It is now common practice to apply thin membranes to the rims of glasscontainers such as coffee jars and the liks by gluing a sheet ofglassine paper to the container rim to provide an air tight seal for thepackage. The present invention is particularly useful in this operationand it Will be described for this use. It is clear that the applicatormay be used in a similar way for coating other articles with variousliquids.

The sealing membranes or safety seals are applied to the container topsby automatic machinery after the containers have been filled and priorto the application of the closure caps. It has been found convenient toapply the safety seals by causing filled jars to move on a suitableconveyor beneath a glue applying roller so that the revolving rollerrolls across the top or rim of the container and applies a film ofadhesive of predetermined thickness. Such an adhesive applying rollermeans is shown for example, in United States Patents 2,952,239 and3,048,145.

The present invention is an improvement upon the adhesive applying meansdescribed in these patents and provides an improved device combining afluid reservoir with a metering means for transferring adhesive or otherfluid from the reservoir to the roller in a film having a predeterminedand constant thickness.

In order to provide for the effective application of an air tightsealing membrane, it is important that the adhesive film used to securethe membrane or sealing disc to the container mouth be of sufficientthickness and of uniform distribution to provide a complete sealentirely around the container rim. At the same time, it is importantthat the adhesive be confined to the containers rim and that no adhesiveenter the container through spillage caused by excess adhesive layerthickness or by the dripping or splashing of adhesive improperly meteredduring the transfer of the adhesive from the adhesive reservoir to theturning roller.

Accordingly an object of the present invention is to provide an improvedcoating mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved liquidcoating mechanism including a cooperating application roller and aliquid reservoir.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid reservoirfor a coating roller with a simplified mounting and coating thicknessmetering means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedadhesive applying mechanism with simplified roller adjusting andremoving means.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon anunderstanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, orwill be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages notreferred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employmentof the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings,forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially in section of a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

Patented Nov. 29, 1966 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mechanism ofFIG. 1 illustrating the adhesive reservoir in section and removed fromthe mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the adhesive applying mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 on FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 illustrating anotherembodiment of the adhesive applying roller; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view partially in section of another embodimentof the adhesive reservoir of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a filled container 1 being carried on a movingconveyor 2 beneath the adhesive applying mechanism 3 so that therotating roller 4 rolls across the container rim 5 and deposits a ringof adhesive 6 on the rim 5. The cylindrical outer surface 7 of theroller 4 contacts the liquid adhesive 6 which is held in the adhesivereservoir 8 and the roller 4 and the reservoir 8 are mounted inadjustably spaced relationship in a frame 9 shown in FIG. 1 and moreclearly illustrated in FIG. 2.

The preferred embodiment of the adhesive reservoir 8 comprises a unitaryvessel having sidewalls 10 and an end wall 11 and having an openapplicator end with edges 12 and 13 positioned adjacent to the rollsurface 7. As Will be more fully described below, the thickness of theadhesive on the roller surface is controlled by the adjustablepositioning of the reservoir edge 13 (FIG. 4) with respect to the rollersurface 7. This positioning is accomplished in the preferred embodimentby slidably mounting the reservoir 8 on the rim 14 of the frame 9 onspaced support flanges 15. These flanges 15 permit the reservoir 8 toslide toward and away from the roller surface 7 under the control of thepositioning screw 16 connected to the end wall 11 of the reservoir 8 andthreadedly coupled to a rotatable knob 17 mounted in the end 18 of thesupporting frame 9. Rotation of the knob 17 in one direction advancesthe reservoir 8 towards the roller surface 7 to reduce the adhesive filmthickness and rotation in the opposite direction withdraws the reservoir8 from the roller surface 7 to provide for thicker adhesive coatings.The entire adhesive assembly mechanism 3 is mounted above the conveyor 2at a predetermined height in a suitable cradle (not shown) on mountingpins 19. The mounting cradle preferably provides for upward movement ofthe entire assembly against a suitable resilient positioning means in amounting not part of the present invention such as is illustrated in theabove mentioned Patent Numbers 2,952,239 and 3,048,145.

The cooperation of the edges 12 of the reservoir sidewalls 10 and themetering edge 13 on the reservoir bottom surface 20 is best illustratedin FIGS. 3 and 4. When the roller 4 is in its adhesive applyingposition, the arc-shaped sidewall edges 12 are positioned a slightdistance away from roller surface 7 and the metering edge 13 of thereservoir 8 is also positioned in a precisely regulated and spacedposition with respect to the surface 7 of the rotating roller 4 by theabove described adjusting screw 16.

As seen in FIG. 3, the two sidewalls 10 are positioned inwardly of theroller 4 edges and the viscous nature of the adhesive 6 and therotational movement of the roller surface 7 prevent the passage of theadhesive 6 through the slight spacing between the reservoir edges 12 andthe roller surface 7. The movement of the roller surface 7 past themetering edge 13 of the reservoir 8 carries the adhesive 6 which is incontact with the roller surface 7 past the metering edge 13 in athickness deterv) mined by the metering edge 13 position and carriesthis layer of adhesive onto the rim of the container 1 as the containerrim 5 moves beneath the roller 4 at the same speed as the speed of theroller surface.

The roller 4 illustrated in the preferred embodiment has a series ofcircumferential grooves 21 (FIG. 6) which facilitate the application ofthe adhesive 6 to the jar rim 5. This improvement is described in PatentNumber 2,952,- 239 and forms no part of the present invention as theimproved adhesive applying device of the present invention operatesefiectively with both grooved and smooth surfaced rollers.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the adhesive applying roller 4 in engagementwith the rim of a container 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, theroller 4 has rigid end plates 22 removably connected to a center spindle23. The resilient cover 24 is mounted on the spindle 23 and is confinedbetween end plates 22.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the roller formed by a novel processwherein the end plates such as illustrated for the embodiment of FIG. 6are eliminated and the rubber container engaging cover 25 is preferablymolded directly onto a preformed hub 26 which preferably is made of anextremely light material such as aluminimum to provide for an overallroller with extremely low inertia. The rubber-like cover may also bepreformed with or without a thin cylindrical center sleeve and pressedonto the hub 26. The cover may also be formed of a shrinkable materialwhich is shrunk-fit onto the hub 26 when a replacement is desired. Theroller 27 illustrated in FIG. 7 is seen to have a smooth surface as sucha surface also provides for the satisfactory application of adhesive inmany uses using the novel mechanism of the invention in the same manneras does the grooved roller illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6. The roller 27may also be grooved if desired.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the reservoir 8' with amodified edge 13' at the open applicator end of the reservoir 8'. Inthis embodiment, a series of slots 13" are provided to form a serratededge which faces the roller 27. With this combination, the adhesivepasses onto the smooth roller surface with a series of ridges therebygiving an improved container rim coverage as is obtained with a groovedroller surface as illustrated at 21 in FIG. 6.

The construction described above is seen to be of particular value incontinuous high speed operations such as high speed container sealingwork since the simplicity of the parts insures continuous trouble freeoperation and also permits ready and accurate adjustment during theoperating periods. In addition the two main elements of the adhesiveapplying mechanism, that is, the adhesive applying roller 4 and adhesivereservoir 8 are readily removed from the frame 9 for inspection andreplacement in a matter of minutes and when replaced or returned to theframe, readjustment to the predetermined and preferred operatingconditions may be immediately obtained by the most simple adjustments.

As clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the roller may be lifted fromthe frame by the removal of four bolts 28 which hold the bearing block29 in place above the roller mounting axle 32. Since the adhesivereservoir 8 is resting on the edge 14 of the frame 9 it also may bereadily removed. The knob 17 in the frame end 18 which provides for theabove described reservoir positioning is removably mounted in a slot 30in the frame 9 so that it may be lifted free of the frame when thereservoir 8 itself is removed for inspection or cleaning. A locknut 31is preferably provided on the screw 16.

It will be seen that an improved adhesive applying mechanism. has been pov ed he e n n a u a nd simplified adhesive coating thickness adjustmentis provided which may be operated during adhesive application and whichis operable independently of the level of adhesive in the reservoir sothat when necessary, continuing adjustments may be made for adhesivefilm thickness during actual operation of the unit even at great speedsand during the regular packaging run or other article handlingoperations.

The improved mechanism is also particularly advantageous as it providesthese improvements in operation and control with a simple structurecomprising a minimum number of parts and also wherein the parts arearranged for simple removal and replacement by experienced operatingpersonnel and in a short period. This not only permits removal andinspection of both the roller and the reservoir, but it also permitssubstitution of one roller or reservoir for another with only anextremely short period being necessary for interchange. There is, thus,no need for expensive interruptions to sealing operations whereunforeseen interruptions are extremely serious, not only due to lostproduction but also due to related stoppages in the other sealingoperations including product supply and container and cap supply andmanipulation.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangementof the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims and without sacrificing any of itsadvantages, it is to be understood that all matter hereinabove is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A liquid adhesive coating mechanism comprising the combination of aframe member, an adhesive applying roller rotatably mounted thereon, anadhesive reservoir member having an adhesive metering edge formed at itsfront end and mounted adjacent to said roller for applying adhesivethereto, means mounting said reservoir member on said frame member forlongitudinal sliding movement toward and away from said roller to adjustthe thickness of adhesive flowing over said metering edge, and means for.adjustably fixing the position of said reservoir member on said framemember comprising engaged screw threaded elements, connections betweensaid screw threaded elements and the respective frame and reservoirmembers, one of said connections including an open sl-ot from which saidscrew threaded elements may be removed for lifting said reservoir memberfrom said frame member.

2. The combination claimed in claim 1 in which said screw threadedelements comprise a screw extending from the reservoir member and a knobthreaded on said screw and resting rotatably in an upwardly open slotformed in said frame member.

3. The combination claimed in claim 1 in which said reservoir mountingmeans comprises bearing surfaces on said frame, and flange means on saidreservoir slidably engaging said bearing surfaces.

4. The combination claimed in claim 1 in which said metering edge ofsaid reservoir comprises serrations for forming an adhesive coating onsaid roller of non-uniform thickness.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,248,314 11/1917Grahl 1l8--250 2,787,244 4/ 1957 Hickin 1l8--259 3,119,138 1/1964 Davis.3,133,340 5/1964 Finelli 29129.5

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner, L, G. MAC I-ILIN, AssistantExaminer,

1. A LIQUID ADHESIVE COATING MECHANISM COMPRISING THE COMBINATION OF AFRAME MEMBER, AN ADHESIVE APPLYING ROLLER ROTATABLY MOUNTED THEREON, ANADHESIVE RESERVOIR MEMBER HAVING AN ADHESIVE METERING EDGE FORMED AT ITSFRONT END AND MOUNTED ADJACENT TO SAID ROLLER FOR APPLYING ADHESIVETHERETO, MEANS MOUNTING SAID RESERVOIR MEMBER ON SAID FRAME MEMBER FORLONGITUDINAL SLIDING MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID ROLLER TO ADJUSTTHE THICKNESS OF ADHESIVE FLOWING OVER SAID METERING EDGE, AND MEANS FORADJUSTABLY FIXING THE POSITION OF SAID RESERVOIR MEMBER ON SAID FRAMEMEMBER COMPRISING ENGAGED SCREW THREADED ELEMENTS, CONNECTIONS BETWEENSAID SCREW THREADED ELEMENTS AND THE RESPECTIVE FRAME AND RESERVOIRMEMBERS, ONE OF SAID CONNECTIONS INCLUDING AN OPEN SLOT